Timothy Ridout

In 2016 Timothy Ridout become the first-ever British winner of the Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition. He is currently studying at the Kronberg Academy in Germany with Nobuko Imai.

In 2016 Timothy was the first British winner of the Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition and was selected for representation by Young Classical Artists Trust (YCAT). Previous awards include 1st Prize at the 2014 Cecil Aronowitz and 2nd Prize at the 2015 Windsor Festival International Competitions.

Over the last year Timothy has performed widely in Europe, highlights including recitals at Wigmore Hall, the Gasteig Munich, Brighton Festival, Verbier Academy & Festival and Schloss Elmau. He took part in the Eggenfelden Klassisch, Valdres Sommersymfoni, Koblenz, Musikdorf Ernen and Beethoven Bonn Festivals, attended IMS Prussia Cove Open Chamber Music and gave performances with the Nash Ensemble.

Future engagements include appearances as soloist with the Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz, Baden-Baden Philharmonie and Sinfonia Cymru. He returns to Wigmore Hall, performs George Benjamin’s ViolaViola at the Purcell Room on the invitation of Tabea Zimmermann, and gives concerts in Italy and Israel. In 2017 Champs Hill released his first CD of music by Vieuxtemps to critical acclaim.

Born in London in 1995, Timothy studied at the Royal Academy of Music with Martin Outram, graduating with the Queen’s Award for Excellence. He went on to join the Kronberg Academy in Germany, where he currently studies with Nobuko Imai, alongside classes with Antoine Tamestit and Tabea Zimmermann.

His solo work has included concertos with the Zagreb Soloists, Rotterdam Philharmonic Strings, European Union Chamber, Young Musicians and Oxford Symphony orchestras, a performance of the Walton Concerto at St. John’s Smith Square, and the premiere of a new work by Desmond Clarke at Milton Court, Barbican. Sought after as a chamber musician, he has taken part in the Bad Kissinger Sommer Festival (Germany), Schubertiade Festival (Austria), Musique à Marsac (France), Accademia dei Cameristi (Italy), and the Next Generation Festival in Bad Ragaz (Switzerland). He has collaborated with Ana Chumachenko, Maxim Vengerov, Lawrence Power, Tabea Zimmermann, Steven Isserlis and Franz Helmerson.

Timothy is very grateful for support from the Amaryllis Fleming Foundation and Bowerman Charitable Trust.

Timothy plays on a Viola by Peregerino di Zanetto c1565-75 generously on temporary loan from Beares International Violin Society.

Press reviews

“A gorgeous tone, a thoughtful approach to phrasing and an infectious sense of impetuosity.”

The Gramophone / Vieuxtemps CD (Champs Hill Records) / May 2017

“Ridout displays a consistently imaginative ear for tonal colours and an exciting variety of vibrato ... clearly a talent to follow.”